RUNAWAY VICTORY

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 29, 3 August 1933, Page 5

RUNAWAY VICTORY

CANTERBURY'S BIG SCORE

ASHBURTON FAIL TO CROSS

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, August 2. Defending the Ranfuiiy Shield for the first time this season, Canterbury had a runaway victory over Aehburton this afternoon, winning by 31 points to 7. Canterbury's line was not crossed, Ashburton'a score coining from a field goa) and a penalty goal. Ashburton kicked a field goal \yithin six minutes of the kick-off, and continued to keep the score within reasonable limits until half-time, but only by keeping play as tight as possible. This kept the ball from the Canterbury backs, who early showed marked superiority over . Ashburton. At half-time the score waa 13-7 in favour of Canterbury. In the second half Ashburton did not, or could not, continue their early policy, and the Canterbury, backs and forwards struck better form. The Ashburton defence crumbled, and Canterbury ran up a big score. The home forwards played a very impressive game up to the best Ranfurly Shield standard. The backs also were good in attack and defence, with the one weakness that passes were often slowly and uncertainly given by Stevens at the back of the scrum. The Ashburton forwards played a sturdy, determined game, especially in the first half, but never looked like scoring. The backs showed some ability in defence, but never developed an attacking movement which looked really dangerous.